“Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestation. Religions, philosophies, the arts, the social forms of primitive and historic man, prime discoveries in science and technology, the very dreams that blister sleep all boil up from the basic magic ring of myth.”— Joseph Campbell.
Ancient myths from around the world — along with fairy tales, folklore, and legends — are among the most enduring and appealing subjects of children’s books. The bards and storytellers of oral tradition around the world knew how to capture an audience’s attention, stirring emotions with exciting renditions of adventurous quests. These tales lend themselves well to particularly beautiful or fanciful illustrations in picture books.
Brainiac Books regularly stocks a good selection of vintage and used books for kids and young adults on the subject of mythology. Here are some relevant titles currently for sale. A brief description of each book follows the slideshow. Visit the online store at Brainiac Books for availability, price, and full description of condition: just use the title search!
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A Brush With Magic: Based on a Traditional Chinese Story, by William J. Brooke; illustrated by Michael Koelsch. Hardcover with dustjacket published 1993 by HarperCollins. For ages ca. 9-12. Liang, an orphan boy with a magic paintbrush that brings to life whatever he paints, travels to the court of the Emperor of China to find his fortune and true love. Keywords: juvenile, children’s book, fantasy, fiction, folk tale, folklore.
Folk Tales of the World: Greece, by A. W. Crown; illustrated by Dean Mitchell. Hardcover reprint Merit Book Edition published 1967 by Houghton Mifflin. A general introduction to Greek myths for young readers, with lively artwork reminiscent of figures on Greek amphorae. 80 pages; duotone illustrations. For ages ca. 9-15. Keywords: juvenile, children’s books, mythology, folklore, legend, Atalanta, Orpheus, Euridice, Theseus, Ariadne, Perseus, Arachne, Cadmus, Europa, Psyche, Eros, 1960s, Sixties.
Folk-Tales of the British Isles, edited by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Softcover 1985 Pantheon. 393pp, Bibliography. 67 tales from the rich Celtic/English/Norse tradition. Black-and-white wood engravings by Hannah Firmin. Language: English. For ages 15-up. Keywords: folklore, mythology, fairy tales, fairytales, fables, stories, Great Britain, England, English, United Kingdom, Scotland, Scottish, Ireland, Irish, Wales, Welsh, storytelling, anthology, fairies, beasts, animals, ghosts, giants, heroes, saints, devils, enchantment, enchanted.
The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus, by Aliki. Softcover published 1994 by HarperTrophy. 48 pages; large, vivid color illustrations on every page. “Long ago in ancient Greece people created stories — myths — to explain the mysteries of life. These myths told of gods and goddesses, fearful monsters, brave heroes, and mysterious beauties. In these pages you will meet the great immortals: Zeus, the powerful king of the gods, and Hera, his beautiful yet jealous wife. You will meet Athena, who sprung from Zeus’s head fully grown, and the lovely Aphrodite, who rose out of the sea on a cushion of foam. You will hear the story of the fierce battle fought to earn them their golden thrones. The awesome Olympians of Greek mythology come to life as Aliki skillfully weaves many of the tales that have fascinated children for generations.” — from back cover. Keywords: picture book, juvenile, Aliki Brandenberg.
Gods and Myths of the Aztecs, by Norman Bancroft Hunt. Coffee-table hardcover with dustjacket published 1996 by Smithmark. 112 pages; Index; map; large color and black-and-white photos of artifacts and archaeological sites. For ages 15-up. ‘[I]ntroduces the traditions, beliefs, and attitudes that governed the Aztec world-view . . . [including] monumental architecture in the form of temples and pyramids, widespread human sacrifice, a sacred calendar on which ritual activities were based, hieroglyphic writing, ritual ball games, [and] a pantheon of gods’–from jacket flap. Keywords: folklore, mythology, Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Mesoamerica.
Isimeme’s Stories, by Isimeme Ibazebo; illustrated by John Hurford. Hardcover 1993 Spindlewood, Devon, UK. 32 pages; color illustrations. Language: English. For ages ca. 4-8. Three Nigerian / African folk tales: Nnenna and Her Udara Tree, Why the Bat Flies at Night, and Onye and Tunde. Very dramatic, colorful watercolor and ink artwork; strong portraits of Nigerian people and majestic African animals. Keywords: juvenile, picture book, children, Africa, folklore.
John Henry: Steel-Driving Man (Folk Tales of America series), by C. J. Naden; illustrated by Bert Dodson. Slim softcover book published 1980 by Troll Associates. 48 pages; black-and-white illustrations with touches of red. For ages ca. 5-9. Tells the tall tales of the legendary (as opposed to the possibly real) railroad worker John Henry and how he beat the steam drill in a race. Keywords: children’s books, juvenile, African American, Americana, South, Southern, folklore, legend, hero, ‘died with a hammer in his hand’, folk song.
King Midas: The Golden Touch, by Demi. Hardcover with dustjacket published 2002 by Margaret K. McElderry Books. Ca. 32 pages (pages not numbered). For ages ca. 4-8. Gorgeous illustrations in the style of classical Greek vase paintings, and lavished with gold; includes 4-page foldout. “King Midas is a proud and foolish king who loves gold above all else. In return for helping him one day, a satyr grants the king his dearest wish — all that he touches will turn to gold. For a time, the king enjoys his gift. But then the food he puts to his mouth turns to gold so he cannot eat. And the horse he mounts turns to gold so he cannot ride. And everyone he touches turns to gold so he no longer has any family or friends. He has all the gold he could ever want, but he’s not at all happy. How King Midas learns his lesson and finds happiness is the heart of this classic Greek myth, brought to new life by award-winning artist Demi’s own golden touch. Sparkling with the colors of the Aegean Sea and with the splendor of gold, this elegant and humorous retelling of an ancient myth will be cherished by readers of all ages.” — from jacket flap. Keywords: children, juvenile, picture book, mythology, myth, ancient, Grecian.
Land of the Five Suns (Looking at Aztec Myths and Legends), by Kay McManus. Hardcover published 1997 by British Museum Press. 48 pages; color photos from museum collections. For ages ca. 9-12. Retelling of traditional tales in which the boy Stone Turtle uses creation myths and tales of Aztec gods to distract his younger brother, Two Rabbit Leaping Frog, in order to keep him out of trouble. Includes stories about the founding of the city of Tenochtitlan; the creation and destruction of the first four suns; the creation of human beings; how maize was found; how music was brought to the world; the creation of the sun and moon; and the discovery of chocolate. Set in the early 1500s, when Spaniards and Aztecs were encountering one another for the first time, this book includes photos of Aztec artwork and artifacts, such as illustrations from the Codex Mendoza. Keywords: folklore, mythology, juvenile, Pre-Columbian, Mexico.
Legends of the Rhine, by Wilhelm Ruland. Small hardcover with dustjacket, 3rd edition published by Stollfuss Verlag, Bonn. No date stated; circa 1980s?. 286 pages; black-and-white illustrations. Language: English (translated from the German by Andrew Mitchell and H. J. Findlay). Also known as The Finest Legends of the Rhine. Contents include The Nibelungen Lied; The Bells of Speyer; The Knave of Bergen; Heinrich Frauenlob; Eginhard and Emma; The Mouse-Tower; Castle Gutenfels; St. Clement’s Chapel; more. Keywords: Germany, legend, legendary, folklore, folk tale, fairy tale.
Little Lit: Folklore and Fairy Tale Funnies, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly. Oversized hardcover published 2000 by RAW Junior / Joanna Cotler Books. Our copy is SIGNED by both editors (Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman and his wife, ‘The New Yorker’ art editor Francoise Mouly) on half-title page. 64 pages. For ages ca. 5-adult. Endpapers fold out to create a ‘board’ game, FairyTale Road Rage. Contributors: Art Spiegelman, Walt Kelly, David Macaulay, William Joyce, Kaz, Daniel Clowes, Barbara McClintock, Harry Bliss, Lorenzo Mattotti, David Mazzucchelli, Joost Swarte, Chris Ware, Charles Burns, Bruce McCall, Ever Meulen, Claude Ponti, J. Otto Siebold. Designed by Spiegelman and Chip Kidd. “This is a cool book: cool in the sense that it is presented by 18 renowned cartoonists; cool in the McLuhan sense of comics as a medium that commands audience involvement through iconic forms; and cool in the sense of a marriage of form and content that is brilliant in concept. … Each [cartoonist] uses a unique style of sequential art to interpret a fairy tale…. This is a sensational introduction to traditional literature for a visually sophisticated generation. It will live happily ever after in the hands of readers everywhere.” — Kate McClelland, School Library Journal, 2000. Keywords: juvenile, children, picture book, comix.
Myths and Legends of the Greeks, by Nicola Ann Sissons; illustrated by Rafaello Busoni. Hardcover published 1960 by Hart Publishing Co., NY. 191 pages; black-and-white drawings. The Sunrise Library series. 26 stories with vivid, realistic, action-packed illustrations. From front cover: “A fascinating collection of those classic tales which contribute so much to understanding the literature of today. Simple, clear-cut language enhances these beloved favorites.” Appropriate for ages ca. 5-12. Keywords: juvenile, fairytales, folklore, mythology, ancient, Greece, heroes, gods, goddesses, monsters, classical.
Prince Ring: Icelandic Fairy Tale, edited by Ann Redpath and Etienne Delessert; illustrated by Heinz Edelmann. Hardcover published 1983 by Creative Education. Ca. 28 pages (pages not numbered); color illustrations. With the help of Snati, a talking dog, Prince Ring must perform several miraculous tasks to marry the King’s daughter and break a witch’s spell. Keywords: Iceland, fairytale, folk tale, folklore, juvenile, princess, Ingiborg, giant.
A Selection of Jataka Tales, by Mahendra Siriwardene. Softcover reprint published by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taiwan. No date stated; circa 1980s. 103 pages; color illustrations. Language: English. Stories about Mahasara, Serivanija, Vannupatha, Candakinnara, Culla Sethi, Culladhanuggaha, Illisa, Tilamuthi, Namasiddhi, and Mahasilava. Keywords: religion, sacred, folklore, folk tale, legend, mythology, Buddhism, Buddhist, Bodhisatva.
Of Witches and Monsters and Wondrous Creatures, by Lisl Weil. Hardcover with dustjacket published 1985 by Atheneum. 48 pages. For ages ca. 8-12. Kids’ overview of magical beings of various cultures since ancient times, such as phoenix, sphinx, dragons, trolls, and witches. Lively artwork in purple, gold, and turquoise. Keywords: juvenile, children, myth, mythology, folklore.
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If you are interested in more particulars about any of our featured books, search our store at BrainiacBooks.com for the title. If the book is still in our stock, you’ll be taken to the page for that title.
Tags: ancient Greece, books, children, children's books, folk tales, folklore, legends, myth, mythology, religion
